This activity demonstrates optical properties of water: that different constituents in water affect the transmission, absorption, and scattering of different colors in the visible light spectrum. Inexpensive, off-the-shelf components are used to...(View More) build a light sensor and source, creating a simple spectrophotometer that can measure light absorption. In the second part of this activity, principles of ocean color remote sensing are applied to measure reflectance. Using components that are clearly visible allows students to configure them in different ways. Playing with the instrument design gives students a practical understanding of spectrophotometers, in-water optics, and remote sensing. As an extension of this concept, students are encouraged to think about how ocean color is used to estimate the concentration of chlorophyll to infer phytoplankton abundance, colored dissolved organic matter, and suspended sediments.(View Less)

This science news story highlights a new initiative by the Hubble Space Telescope to image distant galaxies. The program uses gravitational lenses to image galaxies that are otherwise too distant and faint for the telescope to image. The story...(View More) includes information describing how gravitational lenses are similar to optical lenses. The article also includes a description of parallel fields - a set of observations done in tandem with the gravitational lens observations that will result in six additional HUDF-type observations of the sky. Star Witness News is a series of articles, written for students, that are inspired by Hubble Space Telescope press releases. Supplemental education materials include vocabulary, discussion questions and answers, and identifies relevant Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.(View Less)

Presented in a story format, this article illustrates the use and value of Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT). Two links are included, one provides a detailed explanation of the SARSAT rescue process and the other presents an...(View More) authentic rescue videotaped testimonial. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.(View Less)

In the game, "Ozone Trap-n-Zap," players must balance ozone within designated layers of Earth's atmosphere. Background information on ozone is provided through an embedded link to an article entitled, "Life in a greenhouse? How ghastly!" Additional...(View More) information on why ozone is considered good or bad in each layer is included. The article and game are targeted to children ages 10-12.(View Less)

This 11-page booklet offers an age-appropriate explanation of the construction, launch and on-board instruments of a weather satellite. Incorporated in the text is a simple activity for sensing temperature differences. The booklet is targeted to...(View More) children ages 10-12.(View Less)